OMB tells agencies to focus on transition

It's an election year, and that means the Office of Management and Budget is getting ready for a new leader in the White House. Instead of submitting a formal budget submission for fiscal 2018, OMB is asking agencies to prepare for the transition to a new administration.

An April 29 OMB memo tells agency heads to proceed with internal reviews to prepare information so the next administration can quickly put together its budget. The typical budget request and OMB passback policy are being skipped. Instead, agencies are being asked to work with OMB representatives to identify key program and budget needs for the next administration.

OMB officials said that during the transition, they expect to give agencies guidance on the process and timing for submitting requests and other materials that will be used in preparing the incoming administration's budget.

The memo also reminds agencies to follow ongoing IT and cybersecurity reporting requirements. Changes in IT capital planning and the investment control process are coming in the OMB Circular A-11 due in June and other budget guidance.

New material for the fiscal 2018 budget cycle "will focus on empowering agency CIOs," the memo states.